RAJMACHI FORT

Rajmachi Fort is surrounded by deep valley on the three sides and a thickly wooded lush green forest on the other. This fort can be reached only by foot due to its above mentioned location. The trek to this fort is exhilarating and exciting. It is 10km away from Lonavala. This old fort probably belongs to the Yadav period and has two small forts attached to its called 'Shrivardhan' and 'Manoranjan' Yadavas used to name their forts in this Manner.

PLACE CHART

On the way to Mumbai from Pune, one comes across the Rajmachi point, which is also a garden. This point is called so because the Rajmachi Fort is opposite to it. One can watch the fort only on foot (jokingly called the number 11 buses,each 1 denoting 1 leg)

There are three ways to reach this fort-:

1. Lonavala through Tungarli village and Dam. Avoid the right turn here and take the left turn to reach the fort.
2. From Karjat town one can straightaway head for the fort.
3. If one is coming by the rail route then get down at the Kurwadi Station, cross a place called 'Palas Dari' and reach Rajmachi.

SHRIVARDHAN FORT

This fort is on the eastern side of Rajmachi. The entrance of this fort is semi-circular in shape and is thus not easy to locate from far away.

There is a small ancient temple dedicated to Sri Bhairavnath between Shri Vardhan and Manoranjan, which can be easily visited.

The entrance of the Shrivardhan fort is mannered by watchmen. At one end, there are residences or people staying on the fort and the other end is for the guards. There are two huge water tanks filled with water all the year. One tank is near the cave & the other is near the fort.

After going a little further, one can see Buddhist caves. Here, along with the Buddhist influences one can also see influence of the Maratha life style, for e.g. The carvings of Ganesha (Elephant God) on the door.From this point, one can see Visapur, Lohagad, Tungi, Korigad, Magfani etc.

MANORANJAN FORT

A road from behind the Bhairavnath temple leads to the Manoranjan Fort. The entrance of the fort is in bad shape, and is in a state of ruin. The only things one can see, are the ammunition depots and the watchmen houses. There is a square Lake, which is filled with clean water all the year round. A straight line of rock divides this lake into two parts, and the person having the knowledge of this place can walk through it. The fort at Pali, Karnala, Nagfani, Matheran or the Khandala railway station can be seen from this height of the fort.

Tunga Fort

To the south of Lohagad one can see a rock piercing the horizon, this is the Tunga Fort. The location of the fort is enhancing and exciting. The Pavana Dam surrounds it. To approach this fort, one has to take a motor boat from Pavana Dam. To reach this fort on foot, one has to traverse a narrow, slippery and a steep road. On the premises there is a temple dedicated to Mahadeo. During Shivaji’s reign, this fort was used for keeping an eagle eyed watched over the other forts.

Lohagad Fort

This fort is 10km from Lonawala. It belongs to the period of Chattrapati Shivaji’s reign and was used for keeping prisoners in the year 1564.

In 1670, Shivaji Maharaj won this fort and in the year 1751, Gaikwad and Dabhade family were incarcerated in this fort. The entrance to this fort is impressive and is aptly called 'Delhi Gate'. There are three gates one after the other.

On entering the exquisite third gate, one reaches the Guard's post. Guns were positioned here during Shivaji’s time. The gate is constructed in such a way that gunfire from the gates would reach the enemy at the first gate. The huge cave outside was used as a granary during the rainy season. On its premises there is a tomb and a temple with a Shivalinga ensconced inside it. There are two tanks to store water and one of it was built by Nanasaheb Phandis. Peculiar Vindhukata (fangs of a Scorpion) design adorns the walls of the fort. It is believed that Shivaji Maharaj had kept the treasure looted from his exploits in Surat in this fort for some period of time.

[Karla, Bedsa and Bhaja caves- already written in the notes on Lonawala & Khandala. After this the following can be added]

RYEWOOD

This is a beautiful garden situated near Lonawala. This huge garden is adorned with tall majestic trees. There is a temple dedicated to Mahadeo within the precincts of this park. The park got its name from an English officer of the same name i.e. Mr. Rye, who stayed in this lovely place for quite some time. Hence these woods are named after him. It is possible that the name is derived from the Marathi word "Rai", which means thick forest. Since 1959, the State Government's Forest Department is taking care of this garden. This garden also has plenty of places for children to play and romp around.

The pointed cliff here resembled the shape of the nose of Duke of Wellington thus it is called the "Dukes Nose" It is also called "Nagfani" (hood of the snake) as the cliff also resembles the hood of the snake. This place is bestowed with abundance of natural beauty untouched by the ravages of mankind. This point can be approached by INS Shivaji and through Kurvande Village.

Amrutanjan Point: At the beginning of the Khandala Ghat and at the end of the first slope there is a huge hoarding of Amrutanjan. Thus the flat space around here which offers a birds eye view of the valley and 'Dukes Nose' & 'Khopoli City' is called the Amrutanjan point.

Lohagad Darshan

It is a small garden located in Bhangarwadi. There are plenty of amusements for the children to stay engrossed. In addition to this, there is a statue of Savarkar.

Kune falls

These magnificent and breathtaking falls descend from a height of more than 100 feet. One can have a cool and refreshing dip at the base of the falls. The water from here gushes through the valley. The place is between Lonawala and Khandala. The falls can be seen from Khandala Ghat while coming from Mumbai. It flows for many days long after the monsoons are over.

Tiger Leap

The valley from this point appears as if the tiger is leaping into the valley, therefore it is named "Tiger leap".

This point which is a furlong away from INS Shivaji, offers a fascinating view of the valley. There is a provision for viewing the valley from the safe confines of a big hole. A store thrown from here ricochets at many places and gets destroyed. All this makes a unique and exciting experience to visit this place.

Monkey Hill

This is a favorite picnic spot. All the trains coming from Khandala halt here for brake testing. On the southern side of the railway tracks there is a vast stretch of flat land. This place is exactly above Khopoli town and one can approach this place from Khopoli as well as Barghat reversing station.

Sakur Plateau

This plateau is near the Tungi, Korigat & Lohagad forts. To reach this place one has to turn onto a zigzag 4km road on the way to INS Shivaji. This plateau is at a height of 1000feet. This plateau is on the way to village "Ambavane". This area is heavily wooded and sparsely populated. Thus it’s a refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of town life.

This place, once belonging to the railways has since been abandoned. This spot is outside the tunnel No.26. From here one can see Khopli and the surrounding regions beneath. During the night this place becomes alive with the illuminations of hundreds of lights, which gives this place a fairyland kind of feel. The division of Lonavala and Raigad district starts from the Avion Holiday resort.